Jeff Denham: “Today, I rise to honor a true friend and advocate of agriculture. For the past 8 years, Paul Wenger has led the…”

“Today, I rise to honor a true friend and advocate of agriculture. For the past 8 years, Paul Wenger has led the California Farm Bureau with passion and dedication, ensuring that one of our State's most vital industries remains at the forefront worldwide. As a longtime native of California's Tenth District and the city of Modesto, Paul has consistently been engaged in making our community a better place. As a third-generation farmer, Paul grows almonds and walnuts on the family farm, which includes property purchased by his grandfather in 1910. His farming operation also includes a marketing component for processed almonds and walnuts through his Wood Colony Nut Company. Paul attended Modesto Junior College, or MJC, before transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in animal science. From 1990 to 1994, he served as president of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. Three years later, Paul became a statewide officer, when he was elected second vice president. He was then elected first vice president in 2005. He also served as a member of the Bureau's board of directors and chaired its water advisory committee and water development task force. Since 2009, Paul has served as president of the statewide California Farm Bureau. He has been on the front lines fighting for water rights and supplies, less government overreach, immigration reform, and sustainable working lands that are essential to keeping farming and ranching alive.…”